INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY
Reconfigurable assembly fixture
Adapt a controlled datum system to a revised component without replacing the entire fixture.
Project updates & results
Proposed study
This is a proposed internal development study. Verified parts and results are not yet available.
The brief defines what the study will investigate and measure.
The proposed brief
Locate a small panel or subassembly during assembly or bonding, then adapt the fixture to a revised part without replacing the complete tool. Use non-flight demonstrator parts and a documented joining process.
Design, iteration & manufacture
Fabricated or extruded frame; machined datum features; printed replaceable nests; standard clamps and, where appropriate, compliant contact pads. Compare monolithic and modular fixture concepts. Verify the polymer and joining-process temperatures before using printed tooling in a cure cycle.
What the study will measure
Datum repeatability, assembled geometry, reconfiguration time, access, tool mass and repeatability after repeated use. For bonded specimens, record the bondline and joining process; thermal movement or durability requires representative testing.
Applications for customers
Production and development tooling for aerospace, motorsport, rail, transport and general industry. It provides a strong general-fabrication example: DPM coordinates the complete assembly, its datums and inspection rather than selling an isolated printed nest.
Markforged within the proposed route
Partner Markforged printing can support suitable fit models, fixtures or representative polymer/composite parts. We select the printer, base material and compatible reinforcement against the part’s requirements. This available capability does not establish readiness for this study.
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